A SOLDIER who took his own life just days before being deployed to Iraq had shown signs of distress which were not investigated sufficiently, an inquest has heard.

A SOLDIER who took his own life just days before being deployed to Iraq had shown signs of distress which were not investigated sufficiently, an inquest has heard.

Lane Corporal Michael Chapman, from Stourport-on-Severn, was found hanging in the drying room of his block at Athlone Barracks, in Germany, in February 2003.

The 23-year-old, of the Queen's Royal Hussars, had been showing signs of distress in the days leading up to his death, including threatening to harm himself with a hammer and punching a window with his fist.

Coroner Victor Round told the hearing at Stourport Coroner's Court the army should have done more to investigate Lance Corporal Chapman's actions.

"He took his own life after warning signs of emotional distress were only partially recognised in so far as they were recognised."

In a statement his family said they were still grieving his death but were pleased the coroner conducted a thorough investigation.

"At all times the family's primary concern was to ensure that what happened to Michael would not happen again.

"The coroner's findings speak for themselves. There were not adequate systems and the systems that were in place were not used as they should have been by the chain of command."